American kids are heavier than ever. And being overweight as a kid increases the chances your child will be overweight or even obese when he/she grows up.
This risk is evaluated by using your child’s Body Mass Index (BMI). Body Mass Index (BMI) is a number calculated from a child’s weight and height. BMI is a reliable indicator of body fatness for most children and teens. After BMI is figured, your doctor will chart your child on the BMI-for-age charts, these are much like the charts doctors use to evaluate how your child is growing. This will tell the doctor your child’s percentile for BMI, or the relative position of the child’s BMI number among children of the same sex and age.
Overweight for children and adolescents is defined as falling in the 95th percentile or above of Body Mass Index (BMI). If you child falls in the 85th to less than the 95th percentile, he/she is considered at risk of being overweight.
The following quiz is by no means definitive. But it can send up a warning flag that your child is at risk for obesity and all the health and social problems associated with this chronic disease. It is important to express any concerns you might have about your child's weight to your child’s doctor.
After you’ve finished answering the following questions, click "Done" to find out your results.
